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In the aftermath of a natural disaster, businesses will need to take the important steps to recovery. Here is a checklist to help guide you through that process. For additional tips and guidance on how to prepare for other disasters, see the following: Hurricane Safety Checklist Evacuation Checklist: Preparing for a Hurricane or S...

Being prepared and knowing how to respond to a hurricane or storm makes the difference in minimizing damage and protecting you, your family, and property. Here is a checklist to help guide you on what to do before and during hurricane season.

The wildfire season has caused unprecedented damage across the United States. With drought conditions prevalent across much of the western United States, the wildfire outlook continues above normal wildfire conditions. Learn what you can do to be prepared for it.

If you have been ordered to evacuate a storm area, knowing how to respond will help you protect your family and home before and after an evacuation. Learn the important steps to take when local authorities ask you to leave your home.

Before a hurricane or storm hits, plan in advance by having an evacuation “Grab and Go” checklist, with special considerations made for children, infants, and pets. Continue to follow all evacuation orders and allow for enough time to pack and inform family and friends if you need to leave your home.

Climate change is impacting affluent homeowners in the form of insurance premium hikes and non-renewals. Learn how to safeguard your property and lifestyle with the right coverage.

While insurance may not be top of mind as you go through life’s changes and challenges, it is a critical tool to help keep your family and assets safe. By minding your insurance gaps and working with a knowledgeable agent and reputable carrier in identifying your unique risks, you can assure your family has the protection it nee...

Because of losses in catastrophe-prone areas and other hard market factors, insurance carriers have pulled back the amount of insurance they’ll offer. Despite the hard market, real estate owners and operators that have well-maintained properties and who are prepared for catastrophes will have an advantage. Overall, the formula for a better insuranc...

Once you have decided to pass the family vacation property to the next generation, and you have chosen the ownership form you want to use, the last step in preparing for the transfer is to create an agreement that spells out the use and maintenance of the property and governs a family member’s exit from ownership (if that becomes necessary). Learn ...

Once a family has made a decision to pass the ownership of family cottage or vacation property to the next generation, you will need to give thought to how that ownership will be held. There are basically three options for the form of ownership and use of a cottage by multiple households of a family: co-tenancy, a trust, or a limited liability comp...

When families gather at their cottages or vacation properties, the senior generation might think how nice it would be for these multi-generational gatherings to continue after they pass. But before designing an estate plan to address the future generations’ continued use and enjoyment of this property, there are two important questio...

Because nearly 90% of all foundations are set up with the intent to exist in perpetuity, their success depends on their ability to prepare for and manage change. The challenge isn’t merely a transition, but also the internal stress of balancing the energy and engagement of new blood with the experience and traditions of its senior members. Based on...

Some families start a private foundation because they want to give back while others are seeking tax savings. Whatever the impetus, private foundations serve as a powerful and flexible philanthropic vehicle and offer tremendous advantages over giving as an individual donor.

This issue brief examines the kinds of decisions that family foundations often face and sets out practical, easy-to-apply guidelines for ensuring that the foundation’s decision-making methods vary appropriately, as conditions and circumstances change. It includes factors to consider when selecting a decision-making method, guidance on how to commun...

Finding a way to facilitate trust, communication, and proper preparation and development of the necessary skill sets of the next generation can be difficult and will vary from family to family. Today, many families are finding answers to these questions through a private family foundation. If you’re thinking about staring a family foundation, here ...